A post-mortem examination has failed to establish how a young woman died in Inverness at the weekend.
Police are still trying to build a picture of Charlotte Hornby’s last movements, which are described as crucial to their ongoing inquiries.
Her death remains “unexplained” while officers sift through evidence which includes CCTV footage and witness statements from people who reported seeing her.
The 24-year-old was on a night out in the city centre and left Johnny Foxes pub in the early hours of Sunday with her boyfriend, Joe Afif.
They walked along the riverside as far as the Infirmary Bridge, after which it is thought that she carried on alone, while Mr Afif headed towards his home.
Ms Hornby’s next movements are vital to the investigation team, who remain hopeful that someone may yet come forward with the decisive information they lack.
Acting Chief Inspector Mark Czerniakiewicz said that, despite being in the early hours, the area in and around the city centre remains busy, especially at the weekend.
“There has been a good response because she was so distinctive, and the area was fairly busy with parents collecting their children from the city centre.
“Where she was found is a five-minute walk from where she was last seen and I would urge anyone who saw her near to where she was found to get in touch,” he said.
A police search was mounted after she was reported missing by family members on Sunday afternoon.
Ms Hornby was found by a police dog handler in the Island Bank Road area, which now has a line of floral tributes, verses, messages and other items left by grieving friends and colleagues.
A police spokesman said last night: “A post-mortem examination has been carried out, but a cause of death has not yet been established.
“It is still being treated as unexplained, while inquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
A celebration of Miss Hornby’s life will take place next Friday at the Funeral Home of John Fraser and Son, Chapel Street.
The service will start at 1.30pm. Her family have invited “everyone who knew her” to attend, and to wear bright colours for the service.